Toothbrush with Elastic Bristles

ABSTRACT

A toothbrush comprises a plurality of bristles, each of which comprises an upper part and a lower part, wherein toughness of the lower part is smaller than the toughness of the upper part, an enrooting member into which the bristles are enrooted, wherein the enrooting member comprises a plurality of enrooting holes that receive the plurality of bristles, wherein each of enrooting hole comprises an enrooting recess that receives the lower part of the bristle. A method of manufacturing a toothbrush comprises steps of cutting a predetermined length from a plastic wire; processing the cut wire into a bristle having an upper part and a lower part, wherein toughness of the lower part is smaller than the toughness of the upper part; and enrooting the bristles into a plurality of enrooting holes of the enrooting member.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority on Provisional Application No. 62/256,683, filed on 17 Nov. 2015 and Provisional Application No. 62/413,513, filed on 27 Oct. 2016, the disclosure of which are incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is related to a toothbrush with elastic bristles. More specifically, the present invention is related to a toothbrush comprising bristles, each of which has a strong part and a flexible enrooting part.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A toothbrush in prior art has bristles fixed to its head, and thus it cannot effectively clean spaces between teeth, deformed teeth or curved surface of a back tooth. Fine bristles are good for the gum but are weak in its intended cleaning function. A toothbrush having tapered bristles on their end has problem that the bristles are promptly deformed in use. While strong bristles are advantageous in cleaning teeth but have bad contact feeling and wear enamel of teeth and gum. There have long been needs for a toothbrush that overcomes the problems of the strong bristle, and enables soft and effective cleaning of teeth.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An objective of the present invention is to provide an efficient and durable toothbrush. Another objective of the present invention is to provide a manufacturing method for the toothbrush.

In order to achieve the objectives, the present invention provides a method of manufacturing a toothbrush, wherein the toothbrush comprises a plurality of bristles and an enrooting member into which the bristles are enrooted, comprising steps of a) cutting a predetermined length from a plastic wire; b) processing the cut wire into a bristle having an upper part and a lower part, wherein toughness of the lower part is smaller than the toughness of the upper part; and c) enrooting the bristles into a plurality of enrooting holes of the enrooting member.

In the step of processing the bristle, the cut wire is placed in a jig that drops a core of the cut wire downward by vibration, wherein an end of the cut wire, which is connected to the core, is cut and forms the upper part of the bristle, and a portion of the cut wire from the other end to the dropped core is formed into a conical shape, which forms the lower part of the bristle. Part of the bristle may be coated with reinforcing material.

In the step of processing the bristle, a part of the cut wire is gradually dipped in a chemical tapering solution thereby forming a conical shape, which forms the lower part of the bristle, and the remaining part forms the upper part of the bristle.

In the step of processing the bristle, one cut wire is tapered by mechanical machining, which forms the lower part of the bristle, and another cut wire forms the upper part of the bristle, wherein the lower part is bonded to the upper part.

The present invention also provides a toothbrush comprising a) a plurality of bristles, each of which comprises an upper part and a lower part, wherein toughness of the lower part is smaller than the toughness of the upper part; b) an enrooting member into which the bristles are enrooted, wherein the enrooting member comprises a plurality of enrooting holes that receive the plurality of bristles, wherein each of enrooting hole comprises an enrooting recess that receives the lower part of the bristle.

The lower part has conical shape, the base of which is adjacent to the upper part. The enrooting hole is horn-shaped thereby corresponds to the conical shape of the lower part of the bristle.

The enrooting member has a convex shape, and the enrooting holes are oval. The enrooting hole has a cavity and an inserting hole, through which the lower part of the bristle is inserted. The enrooting hole further comprises a communication slit that communicates the cavity with the cavity of an adjacent enrooting hole, and a drain hole near a bottom surface of the enrooting member.

Communication slits are provided on sidewalls and a bottom of a main enrooting body that receives the enrooting member.

The cavity comprises an upper cavity and a lower cavity, wherein the inserting hole is provided at the upper cavity.

The present invention has following advantageous effects. The present invention provides that each bristle is independent, and soft or flexible In part or in entirety, and thus effectively clean teeth covering gaps and shapes of teeth; because the bristles surround and work on the teeth providing good contact feeling; the strong bristle works soft thereby reducing wear of teeth and gum; it is easy to clean the toothbrush; because the lower cross-section of the bristle becomes smaller, foreign material is less accumulated, and easily removed by running water with the upper portions of the bristles pushed by a finger; each bristle surrounds and works on the teeth keeping excellent cleaning power inherent in strong bristles; the enrooting structure keeps the cleaning power of the bristles when the roots of the bristles are week after prolonged use and the bristles are not spread precisely or inclined or the roots collapse because even the randomly oriented bristles still work efficiently; the roots resist entangling thereby extending service lift of the toothbrush; the toothbrush is effective in cleaning the curved surface of the back tooth, which is susceptible to cavity or other disease as people get older; the bristles not only works as strong bristles having strong cleaning power but also works as soft bristles that are good for weak or sick gum; the ultrasonic fusing does not cause volume change of the bristle; the pot-shaped enrooting holes provide durability against repeated bending and provides cushioning effect even after the roots of the bristles lose durability and collapse; the enrooting structure keeps the flexibility of the bristles when the bristles lose elasticity; the bristles of the toothbrush provide strong cleaning feeling while also providing soft feeling that sticks to the tooth.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be more fully understood by reference to the detailed description in conjunction with the following figures, wherein:

FIG. 1 is an elevation view of a bristle for a toothbrush according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a jig that that removes a core of the bristle;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the bristle and the jig;

FIG. 4 is an elevation view of the bristle showing how the bristle is processed;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing how the bristle is enrooted;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing how the bristle is coated;

FIG. 7 is a perspective showing that a cylindrical bristle cylinder is bonded with a conical bristle;

FIG. 8 is an elevation view of a bristle for a toothbrush according to another embodiment;

FIG. 9 is a schematic view of a jig that that removes a core of the bristle;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the bristle and the jig;

FIG. 11 is an elevation view of the bristle showing how the bristle is processed;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing a processed bristle;

FIG. 13 is a schematic view showing how the bristle is enrooted;

FIG. 14 is an elevation view showing an enrooting member;

FIG. 15 is a plan view showing the enrooting member;

FIG. 16 is a partial cross-sectional view showing an enrooting member;

FIG. 17 is a partial cross-sectional view showing pot-shaped holes formed in the enrooting member and slits connecting them;

FIG. 18 is a plan view of the enrooting member;

FIG. 19 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a draining hole formed in the enrooting member;

FIG. 20 is a perspective view showing slits formed at sides of the enrooting member;

FIG. 21 is a bottom view of a main enrooting body;

FIG. 22 is a schematic view showing a bundle of wire from which the bristle is made;

FIG. 23 is a schematic view showing lower portions of the bristles are dipped in a chemical tapering solution;

FIGS. 24 and 25 are perspective views showing the process of mechanically tapering the bristle;

FIG. 26 is a cross-sectional view showing a double stage enrooting hole; and

FIG. 27 is a flow diagram showing a method of manufacturing a toothbrush according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows a bristle of a certain length. The bristle is inserted into the jig of FIG. 2 and vibrated to drop the core downward (FIG. 3). After the core is removed (FIG. 3), the indicated portion is fixed by inserting adhesive, etc, or by fusing (FIG. 4) The bristle is cut by a needed length, and enrooted to the main body of the toothbrush head (FIG. 5). At this time, the lower end of the bristle has conical shape. When the upper end of the bristle is pressed, the lower end is bent thereby providing elasticity. In order to keep elasticity against such repeated bending and straightening, a material having strong restoring property and not easily deformed is used for filament of the bristle. Or the part being bent may be coated with a durable material that resists deformation to provide good restoring property. Alternatively, the lower bending part of the bristle is tapered and then coated. FIG. 6 illustrates one example method of coating. Other effective methods may be used. It is also possible to make the bristle with filament material which is not easily deformed even after repeated bending, to remove the core with the jig of FIG. 2, to make the conical lower end (bending portion and enrooting portion) and to bond the original bristle (FIG. 7).

FIGS. 18-26 show other embodiments for the bristle. The illustrated figures are exaggerated in their dimension. FIG. 18 snows that a bristle of a certain length is prepared. The bristle is inserted into the jig of FIG. 9 and vibrated to drop the core downward (FIG. 10), After the bristle is removed from the jig, the indicated portion on FIG. 11 is fixed by fusing using ultrasonic wave. At this time, the indicated portion may be taped with a tape made of the same or similar material as the bristle. Or such material may be sprayed and fused to compensate the volume that were reduced at fusing, and to reinforce the weakness of the joint. FIG. 12 shows the processed bristle. This bristle is enrooted to a horn-shaped hole formed in an enrooting member (FIG. 13). FIG. 14 and FIG. 15 show an enrooting member having half-sphere or oval protrusions with a plurality of slits, into which the bristles are enrooted. FIG. 16 illustrates an example of enrooting a bristle to the protrusion. This structure enables thin enrooting member. FIG. 17 shows that pot-shaped holes formed inside the member of FIG. 18 and slits connect the pot-shaped holes. FIG. 19 shows a draining hole that is provided at the bottom surface of the member and communicates to the pot shaped space. FIG. 20 shows chat slits are also provided at sides of the enrooting member so that water and air can flow. FIG. 21 snows that holes are provided at the main enrooting body and combines the enrooting member matching with the holes of FIG. 19. Making the through holes of FIG. 19 for ail either horn-shaped or pot-shaped is advantageous for washing and drying. In a chemical tapering method, the bristle as shown in FIG. 22 is processed with ultrasonic wave, is cut by a predetermined length, and is enrooted to one of the structures of the first embodiment. FIG. 23 shows that it is dipped in tapering solution thereby tapering the portion below the processed joint. At this time, the portion of the enrooting member attached by fusing with anchorless method is coated with anti-acid material or covered with a protective film then dipped. In mechanical tapering method, the bristle is processed as in the chemical tapering method, and tapered mechanically, then enrooted to the enrooting member (FIGS. 24 and 25). FIG. 26 shows that the bristle is supported by a double stage enrooting hole to further support the bristle against random inclination as the bristle gets older in its service life. The bristles may be finished by vertical vibration.

The present invention is further explained, with claim descriptions. Referring to FIG. 23, a toothbrush 10 comprises a) a plurality of bristles 12, each of which comprises an upper part 14 and a lower part 16 (FIG. 25), wherein toughness of the lower part 16 is smaller than the toughness of the upper part 14; b) an enrooting member 18 into which the bristles 12 are enrooted, wherein the enrooting member 18 comprises a plurality of enrooting holes 20 (FIG. 13) that receive the plurality of bristles 12, wherein each of enrooting hole 20 comprises an enrooting recess 22 that receives the lower part 16 of the bristle 12.

The lower part 16 has conical shape, the base of which is adjacent to the upper part 14. The enrooting hole 20 is horn-shaped thereby corresponds to the conical shape of the lower part 16 of the bristle 12.

Referring to FIGS. 14 and 15, the enrooting member 18 has a convex shape, and the enrooting holes 20 are oval.

Referring to FIG. 16., the enrooting hole 20 has a cavity 24 and an inserting hole 26, through which the lower part 16 of the bristle 12 is inserted. Referring to FIG. 17, the enrooting hole 20 further comprises a communication slit 28 that communicates the cavity 24 with the cavity 24 of an adjacent enrooting hole 20, and a drain hole 30 near a bottom surface of the enrooting member (FIG. 19).

Referring to FIGS. 20 and 21, communication slits 32 are provided on sidewalls 34 and a bottom 36 of a main enrooting body 38 that receives the enrooting member 18.

Referring to FIG. 26, the cavity 24 comprises an upper cavity 40 and a lower cavity 42, wherein the inserting hole 26 is provided at the upper cavity 42.

Referring to FIG. 27, the present invention provides a method of manufacturing a toothbrush comprising step S01 of cutting a predetermined length from a plastic wire 44 (FIG. 22); S02 of processing the cut wire 46 (FIGS. 1, 8) into a bristle 12 having an upper part 14 and a lower part 16, wherein toughness of the lower part is smaller than the toughness of the upper part; and S03 of enrooting the bristles into a plurality of enrooting holes of the enrooting member.

In step S02, the cut wire 46 is placed in a jig 48 (FIGS. 2, 9) that drops a core 50 of the cut wire 46 downward by vibration (FIGS. 3, 10). Referring to FIGS. 4 and 11, an end 52 of the cut wire 46, which is connected to the core 50, is cut and forms the upper part 14 of the bristle 12, and a portion 54 of the cut wire from the other end to the dropped core is formed into a. conical shape, which forms the lower part 16 of the bristle 12. Referring to FIG. 6, part of the bristle 12 may be coated with reinforcing material.

Alternatively in step S02, a part of the cut wire is gradually dipped in a chemical tapering solution 56 thereby forming a conical shape, which forms the lower part 16 of the bristle 12, and the remaining part forms the upper part 14 of the bristle 12 (FIG. 23).

Alternatively in step S02, one cut wire 46 is tapered by mechanical machining, which forms the lower part of the bristle, and another cut wire forms the upper part of the bristle, wherein the lower part is bonded to the upper part (FIGS. 7, 24, 25).

The above description is illustrative and is not restrictive, and, as it will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon review of the disclosure, the present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the essential characteristics thereof. The scope of the invention should, therefore, be determined not with reference to the above description, but instead should be determined with reference to the following and pending claims along with their full scope of equivalents. 

1. A method of manufacturing a toothbrush, wherein the toothbrush comprises a plurality of bristles and an enrooting member into which the bristles are enrooted, comprising steps of: a) cutting a predetermined length from a plastic wire; b) processing the cut wire into a bristle having an upper part and a lower part, wherein toughness of the lower part is smaller than the toughness of the upper part; and c) enrooting the bristles into a plurality of enrooting holes of the enrooting member.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein in the step of processing the bristle, the cut wire is placed in a jig that drops a core of the cut wire downward by vibration, wherein an end of the cut wire, which is connected to the core, is cut and forms the upper part of the bristle, and a portion of the cut wire from the other end to the dropped core is formed into a conical shape, which forms the lower part of the bristle.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein part of the bristle is coated with reinforcing material.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein in the step of processing the bristle, a part of the cut wire is gradually dipped in a chemical tapering solution thereby forming a conical shape, which forms the lower part of the bristle, and the remaining part forms the upper part of the bristle.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein in the step of processing the bristle, one cut wire is tapered, by mechanical machining, which forms the lower part of the bristle, and another cut wire forms the upper part of the bristle, wherein the lower part is bonded to the upper part.
 6. A toothbrush comprising: a) a plurality of bristles, each of which comprises an upper part and a lower part, wherein toughness of the lower part is smaller than the toughness of the upper part; b) an enrooting member into which the bristles are enrooted, wherein the enrooting member comprises a plurality of enrooting holes that receive the plurality of bristles, wherein each of enrooting hole comprises an enrooting recess that receives the lower part of the bristle.
 7. The toothbrush of claim 6, wherein the lower part has conical shape, the base of which is adjacent to the upper part.
 8. The toothbrush of claim 7, wherein the enrooting hole is horn-shaped thereby corresponds to the conical shape of the lower part of the bristle.
 9. The toothbrush of claim 7, wherein the enrooting member has a convex shape, and the enrooting holes are oval.
 10. The toothbrush of claim 7, wherein the enrooting here has a cavity and an inserting hole, through which the lower part of the bristle is inserted.
 11. The toothbrush of claim 10, wherein the enrooting hole further comprises a communication slit that communicates the cavity with the cavity of an adjacent enrooting hole.
 12. The toothbrush of claim 10, wherein the enrooting hole further comprises a drain hole near a bottom surface of the enrooting member.
 13. The toothbrush of claim 10, wherein communication slits are provided on sidewalls of a main enrooting body that receives the enrooting member.
 14. The toothbrush of claim 13, wherein communication slits are provided on a bottom of the main enrooting body.
 15. The toothbrush of claim 10, wherein the cavity comprises an upper cavity and a lower cavity, wherein the inserting hole is provided at the upper cavity. 